2026 JAMB : How to Score Above 300 in JAMB: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide (Stop Making This Mistake!)

Are you preparing for the upcoming Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination? Do you want to know the secret to securing a score of 300 and above?

If you have already started your preparation by solving past questions, I have some hard truth for you: You are already preparing to fail.

This is the most common mistake “Jambites” make. They jump straight into testing themselves without acquiring the necessary knowledge first. However, scoring high in JAMB is not rocket science; it simply requires following a specific protocol.

In this guide, I will share the step-by-step strategy used by top scorers to smash the exam. If you are serious about gaining admission into your dream university, read on.

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Step 1: Verify Your Subject Combination

Before you open a book, you must be 100% sure of your subject combination. This depends entirely on the course you intend to study.

For Medicine: You are likely writing Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and English.
For Engineering: You will swap Biology for Mathematics.

Action Plan: Get a brand new notebook. On the very first page, clearly write out the four subjects you will be sitting for.

Step 2: Master the JAMB Syllabus

You cannot study effectively if you don’t know what to study.

Go online and search for the JAMB Syllabus for each of your four subjects.
Open your notebook. Dedicate a fresh page to each subject.
Write out every single topic listed in the syllabus for Biology, Physics, Chemistry, etc.

This notebook will serve as your roadmap. You are not just reading randomly; you are covering the official curriculum.

Step 3: Use JAMB Recommended Textbooks

This is a game-changer that most students ignore. JAMB does not set questions from just any random textbook; they have a list of Recommended Textbooks for every subject.

If you read a textbook that isn’t recommended, you might finish it and still find the exam questions strange.

Browse the list: Search online for “JAMB recommended textbooks” for your subjects.
Acquire them: Buy them even if it’s your last savings. If you absolutely cannot afford them, borrow them.

To score above 300 in JAMB, these books are non-negotiable tools.

Step 4: Create a Disciplined Study Plan

Early preparation matters. If you have four months before the exam, do not leave things to chance.

Set Monthly Targets: Dedicate specific months to specific subjects or split your week.
Write It Down: Don’t just plan in your head. In your notebook or the Table of Contents of your textbook, write dates against topics (e.g., Monday: Acid and Bases, Tuesday: Mechanics).
The “3x” Rule: A secret of high flyers is finishing the recommended textbooks at least three times before the exam date.

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. Sit down and study.

Step 5: Tick Off Topics (The Syllabus Method)

As you study, keep your syllabus notebook nearby.

Read a topic in the recommended textbook.
Understand it thoroughly.
Go to your notebook and mark that topic as “Done” on the syllabus list.

Once you have covered the syllabus, then—and only then—are you ready for the next step.

Step 6: The Right Way to Use Past Questions

Past questions are essential, but only if used correctly. There are two approaches:

1. The Topical Approach (Highly Recommended)

This is the best method for learning. Use resources like Prep 50, where past questions are arranged by topic rather than by year.

How to use it: After you finish reading a specific topic (e.g., Genetics) in your textbook, go to your topical past question book. Solve only questions related to Genetics.
Review: Don’t just mark yourself 30/50 and be happy. check the corrections. Understand why you failed a question and learn the right answer. This turns your past questions into a learning tool, not just a testing tool.

2. The General Approach

This involves solving mixed questions (e.g., “2023 Past Questions”).

When to use it: Only use this method after you have finished the syllabus and used the topical approach. This simulates the real exam environment.
Digital Tools: You can use apps like MySchool App or Test Driller to practice random questions once you are prepared.

Conclusion

Scoring above 300 in JAMB is easy if you stop cutting corners. Don’t start with past questions. Start with the syllabus, read the recommended textbooks, and be disciplined.

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I want to help you succeed. In the comment section below, drop the University you are applying to and the Course you want to study. I will reply with a specific tip to help you secure that admission!